Why does your crawl space matter?
Your crawl space matters because the health and safety of your home depend on the integrity of the crawl space. When the high humidity in a dirt crawl space meets the cool surface of the earth (usually only 55 degrees) concrete and metal will sweat water vapor into the crawl space air.
FACT: Up to 50% of the air in the crawl space goes up into the first floor of the home.
What is happening down there?
The moisture in the crawl space causes wood rot, odors, and becomes a breeding ground for mold. Mold spores can seep up from your crawl space through your home and cause health problems for your family. Crawl spaces that are not sealed can be a breeding ground for bugs and vermin that can enter the unprotected space. Dust mites, a major aggravating factor of allergies and asthma, absorb moisture from the air to survive, which means a humid crawl space is the perfect environment to live, reproduce, and leave behind “droppings”. The damp air that rises through the home from an unsealed crawl space lets the dust mites thrive.
FACT: Dust mite droppings are the number one indoor allergen!
Out of sight, out of mind right?
The support beams of your home are in the crawl space. Replacing these beams due to dry rot caused by moisture in the crawl space can be expensive. Sometimes replacing these beams will mean that the floors above the crawl space will have to be removed to access the beams
FACT: Ignoring your crawl space can result in costly repairs.
What should you do now?
Quality 1st Basement Systems, the leading experts in basement and crawl space waterproofing, have a four step plan to encapsulate the crawl space and restore the health and safety of your home.
First, fix the water leakage. If you have water seeping into your basement and forming puddles on the floor, install a sump pump. Quality 1st recommends the SmartSump System, a high quality sump system that has an airtight lid, reliable pump, and an alarm system. The SmartSump Sump Pump is specially designed for crawl spaces.
Second, isolate the house from the earth with CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation. Isolating the house from the damp ground creates a crawl space vapor barrier and stops water vapor from entering the crawl space, allows water to drain from the floor to the SmartSump, and is durable enough to last as long as the house does. Treated with an antimicrobial ingredient, mold and bacteria cannot grow on CleanSpace. Crawl Space Encapsulation, before you have mold, is often a smarter, more cost effective process than professional mold removal or mold remediation. CleanSpace Encapsulation is the most affordable way to seal your crawl space.
Third, sealing the crawl space vents to keep the bug, critters, and humid air out. Once the CleanSpace liner is installed the next step is to cover the vents so no air leaks in. Quality 1st Basement Systems has special CleanSpace Vent covers to seal the deal and keep the crawl space encapsulated.
The fourth and final step in keeping the crawl space healthy is to dehumidify the air. Even with the best encapsulation system air can still get through the tiniest of spaces. This can raise the humidity in the crawl space and then up into the house. A SaniDry CX crawl space dehumidifier, designed to fit in any crawl space, will filter the air and create a healthier environment for the entire home.
FACT: The crawl space will cost now or later, but it’s not going away.
Remember:
Ignoring the crawl space gives the moisture from the ground time to rot the wood beams supporting your home, destroy the insulation, and allow mold and bacteria to grow. If you or your family members suffer from a mold allergy (or simply breathes!), you need to pay attention to your crawl space. Encapsulating the crawl space saves money by making the house more energy efficient, prevents rodents and creepy crawlers from making a home under your house, and gives you a healthier environment to raise your family.
FACT: Quality 1st Basement Systems can save your crawl space. Contact us today for a free estimate!
